Lewis E. Biddle

Lewis Biddle, Lew, born on August 14, 1947 passed in his home on January 18, 2025. He is survived by his wife, Gail June Biddle, their three children; Todd James Biddle, Jennifer Eileen Mrozinski (Don Mrozinski), Mary Katherine Biddle-Newberry (George Newberry), and brother Jeff Biddle. He is also survived by his four granddaughters, Chloe Newberry, Ava Mrozinski, Olivia Mrozinski, and Emma Mrozinski. He was proceeded in death by his father, Harold Biddle, and mother, Florence Biddle. He was a member of the Spring Creek Presbyterian Church.
Professionally, Lew was a general contractor and owned a home maintenance business in the Boalsburg area for over thirty years. He was highly respected for his quality work and craftsmanship. He learned his professional craft from his father. Plumbing and electrical work were his specialty. He also had a love for woodworking and enjoyed renovating the farms historic horse barn.
Lew Biddle met his wife of 54 years at a 4-H trail riding event. His love of horses expanded his entire life, but his love for draft horses initiated in the late nineteen seventies when he and his wife saw a young child driving a powerful pair of Belgian Horses on a road in Mifflin County. Draft Horses soon found a home on the family's Oak Hall Farm. Belgians were his passion, and he spent the rest of his lifetime promoting and raising them on the local, state, and National level. He served on the Pennsylvania Draft Horse and Mule Association Board as the Vice President for many years. He was instrumental in starting the Draft Horse show at the Keystone Livestock International (KILE) in Harrisburg, PA each fall. Prior to death, he was serving his second term on the Belgian Draft Horse Corporation of America board of directors.
Lew and his family showed their horses for many years at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. They earned five Supreme Champion Banners over a time span of forty years with countless championship recognitions for their breed. As the herd improved in quality, the family soon expanded their show circuit and exhibited or showcased their horses at the Centre County Grange Fair, KILE, the Ohio State fair, the Indiana State Fair, North American Livestock Exposition (NAILE), the Belgian Draft Horse Progress days, North American Belgian Championship, the Michigan Great Lakes International, Lansing Michigan, and the Eastern States Exposition (Big E). The family exhibited the National Champion Belgian Stallion and National Champion Belgian Mare in 2009. Many of the horses on the farm currently descend or are offspring of these two horses. The family also bred the National Champion gelding in 1978 (who was also champion gelding at the 2018 NABC) that was exhibited by Lor-Rob Farms in NY. Another homebred mare was Grand Champion mare at the American Belgian Show. While halter horses were the primary focus for many years, more recently Lew became very interested in the performance aspect of the Belgian breed and complied a six-horse hitch of Belgian mares that competed in the North American Classic Six and Classic Cart program. A homebred mare won the Eastern Regional Classic Cart finals at the Big E in 2020. His most prized show ring accomplishment in 2024 was winning the registered team bred and owned class at the North American Belgian Championship X in West Springfield, Illinois. These two homebred mares, Dream and Stella, are the mares the family has selected to haul Lew to his final resting place at the Boalsburg Cemetery. All four grandchildren shared the love of the horses with their grandfather and enjoyed riding on the show wagon at the respective shows.
In addition to the horses and his collection of John Deere tractors, Lew a former veteran had a real love for history and was a collector of antiques. He loved collecting blanket chests that were made in Centre County. Lew loved giving historical house and barn tours and sharing his love and vast knowledge of antiques with family, friends, organizations, and even a few Penn State classes over the years.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Sunday, January 26, 2025 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College.
Lew's funeral service will follow at 12:00 pm Lantz officiating.
Interment will be at the Boalsburg Cemetery following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest anyone wishing to make donations would support the Belgian Draft Horse Corporation of America Alliance Program with the money earmarked for special projects that will continue to the promotion and advancement of the Belgian breed. The address for donations is 125 Southwood Dr, Wabash, IN 46992.